Letters to the editor

asa[e] vaidhi bhakti

All glories to Prabhu pada, 

I am a Brahmachari from India and met you in Amsterdam.

I wanted to ask you ,how I can reduce my sleep to 4 hours daily.

For a long time I try it by reduced eating and regulation but I have to take 5 hours rest to the body.

Your servant

Bhagavan das

HpS/ASA - AgtSP.

We remember H. H. Tamal-krsna Goswami commenting to Srila Prabhupuada that one devotee in Los Angeles was sleeping more than six hours a day.

Srila Prabhupada answered firmly, that what was the difficulty with that if, when he was awake, he did three times as much work as TkD did.

Hmmm. Big topic, but seems that some jobs require that we let the body sleep more to recover.

O.K.

To our mind, we remember that the American philosopher, Benjamin Franklin commented that one should not eat to dullness.

Jayananda Das told us that he had tried so many diets but the one that actually seemed to work was: Don't eat too much and work hard.

Chant HK/HR while you eat, while you fill your plate, while you digest.

Pray to Krsna to engage your senses in His service etc.

I useful?

We might be able to say more but please post in our Blog. Then the dialog can be useful to many other devotees.

Thank you!!

BnD: HK Gurudeva pamho, TlgaSP!!!

Could you give me a few minutes to call you on the phone please? If possible. You propose the time and I will call you on WhatsApp.

I am [xxx]

Gurudeva, my current wish is to withdraw from Iskcon, in order to end this political persecution to which I have been subjected.

I do not want to give up on you or Srila Prabhupada, and I wish to continue supporting your Sankirtan... But not within Iskcon, I will look for a way to continue serving Srila Prabhupada in Lord Caitanya's mission. I will find a way to do it,

[LPlease give me your permission to withdraw from Iskcon.

[8/16, 7:05 PM] HP Swami - Prof HHR:

Why, agtSP, let them win?

☹️💪💪💪💪

I will never leave ISKCON.

It does not belong to anyone but it's Founder Acharya!

If people are dressing themselves falsely as leaders of the institution but at heart are self seeking demons then we shall chant Hare Krsna, Hare Rama, praying for Rama and Krsna to save all the honest members of Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON, and if They want us to kill demons it will be obvious that we are just Their instruments. 

You me and Prabhupada will always stay in ISKCON even if everyone else leaves?

Dear Siksha Guru Maharaja, Hare Krishna;

HpS/ASA - Sudama Swami said that when he was with SP in Japan he asked him what was a Siksa guru, and SP replied that anyone who enlivens you in devotional service by citing from the scriptures or previous Acharyas is a Siksa Guru.

He asked SP, "Anyone?", and SP responded firmly, "Anyone". 👍

. . . please kindly accept my most humble obeisances; all glories to Srila Prabhupada; all glories to your good self, his faithful and devoted servant; all glories to all the devotees of Lord Chaitanya, who have dedicated their lives to the spreading of the holy names of the Lord. I have been struggling with trying to find a peaceful moment to be able write some things down, but in my domestic world that seems like a most impossible opportunity. It seems that I am forced to take the time out of my japa to write things.

🐵 🐖 🐖 - Yup! ... but not too much time, no?

I find myself reflecting the many turn of events in my life, particularly during my years as a devotee. It's during my japa period that I can peacefully reflect on how it's all been Krishna's mercy. The tears of sadness and moments of laughter; the blissful association and the painful separation of devotees. It is a very overwhelming experience. When I feel such peaceful moments I can face myself and acknowledge my faults, and my failure to surrender: all of these thoughts are solely due to Krishna's mercy. In this way I can better understand that there is nothing outside of Krishna's mercy: even misery.

It's amazing how these thoughts all come to me during my japa.

I am supposed to be focused on my chanting, and instead my mind is fixed on these sentiments, hoping for some solace or tranquility.

I feel embarrassed with offenses and inattentiveness during my japa. All these thoughts seen to come to me, as if Krishna wants me to know of them and to be aware of them. But I also feel as if Krishna wants me to see how He hasn't pushed me away, in spite of my poor character and offensive chanting: again, His special mercy.

This much I can take in when I am feeling peaceful and serene during my japa. When I am feeling disturbed, it is another matter all together.

I find great comfort in my japa period in spite of all the mental distractions. I find it almost unbelievable how something so incredibly simple, as chanting Hare Krishna can be so calming.

It sounds almost too good for something to be so simple and so true.

I am convinced that Krishna is real, that He is really there in the sound of His holy names. It's beyond my comprehension to explain.

ASA - We are pretty convinced that we are talking with you, and not an AI robot that has invaded your house!!

In the evenings, when the temperature is cooler and things seem to quiet down, I am able to finish my rounds in the backyard. As the sun is setting I reflect on the verse from first canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, "ayur harati vai:" how our lives are diminished with each rising and setting of the sun.

I then wonder about life, why we are born and the inevitable death that awaits us all. I reflect on Krishna's instructions in the Bhagavad gita about working "under His protection." I simultaneously feel within me the confidence that Krishna is protecting me, and at the same time hoping that He is going to protect: remembering all that I have tried to do in my life as a devotee. All of these things go through my head when I am supposed to be chanting, begging Krishna to please engage me in His devotional service. What kind of japa is this?

HpS - Second class???

I do it a lot!!!

I know that my words sound foolishly sentimental, and perhaps even like some mode of sahajya mentality. In addition to my japa, I have found it within me the willingness to visit the temple, but only once every few weeks: and then again, only when no one is around, save and except for the pujari on the altar: I still don't trust or feel safe. How offensive that must sound! At home, our Deity worship continues, as does our japa, daily readings and online classes. And on occasion some books will go out when driving for Uber. I recently acquired a couple of hundred small books for distribution, so I am very hopeful that Lord Chaitanya will allow me to remain connected to His Sankirtan movement through my work.

HpS/ASA - Did we mention Jayananda Das'a Taxi-kirtan? asa[e] - Sankirtan; Jayananda's Taxi-kirtan.

He would put a nice big book on the back seat and when the next passenger got in they would mention, that there was first class book in the back seat.

He would say, what's it about, there was a really interesting Indian guy as my last passenger. He must have left it.

Then the passenger would read SP's book and they would talk about it.

He would suggest the passenger take it with him, and usually he would, and give nice tip.

And with this much having been said, I will close here, hoping to remain a beneficiary of you ongoing kindness and mercy. I am very confident that Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krishna are waiting with all eagerness to shake your hand and congratulate you for your own selfless life of devotional service: inasmuch as Lord Vishnu shook Lord Brahma's hand at the dawn of creation: Hare Krishna.

HpS - Krsna is very greedy, egoistic person. He really wants to enjoy life, so even the tiniest contribution is greedily scooped up by Him and henchmen!!

Your lowly servant,

Balabhadra dasa

asa[e] - DVAD, Grhastha, Divorce

Querido Gurumaharaja

Por favor acepte nuestras respetuosas reverencias.

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada!

A veces nos piden dar alguna opinión sobre las dificultades matrimoniales y la idea del divorcio como una solución, pensamos que no somos buenos consejeros sobre este tema pero después de escuchar la situación y dar una humilde opinión de introducción invitamos a leer sus palabras y buscar otros buenos consejeros, en algunos casos parece necesario la ayuda profesional.

Si a alguien le sirve comparto el material que he guardado, hay cartas particulares pero tengo dos buenas publicaciones de su parte.

El divorcio: ¿un espejismo de felicidad? (Primera parte )

https://monkeywarrior.com/detail/12498/

El divorcio, el espejismo de la felicidad (segunda parte)

https://monkeywarrior.com/detail/12644/

Muchas gracias por sacrificar su energía por sus niños.

Vuestra eterna aspirante a sirviente

Asta Sakhi dd

-0-0-0-0-

Dear Gurumaharaja

Please accept our respectful obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Sometimes we are asked to give an opinion on marital difficulties and the idea of ​​divorce as a solution, we think that we are not good counselors on this subject but after listening to the situation and giving a humble introductory opinion we invite people to read your words and look for other good counselors, in some cases professional help seems necessary.

If it helps anyone I share the material that I have saved, there are private letters but I have two good publications from you.

Divorce: a mirage of happiness? (Part One)

https://monkeywarrior.com/detail/12498/

Divorce, the mirage of happiness (Part Two)

https://monkeywarrior.com/detail/12644/

Thank you very much for sacrificing your energy for your children.

Your eternally aspiring servant

Asta Sakhi dd

HpS/ASA - Thank you. AgtSP and His Divine Grace's ISKCON.

ASA has been trying to publish an Encyclopedia [asa(e)] for many years. We get asked the same questions again and again and we try to answer them in depth one time and then have that work sorted by topic.

Many nice devotees have tried to work on it but not so much result so far.

Maybe after we finish our last movie: Hanuman Reporting to Rama, and release it on Janmastami, and travel to Richmond, Spain, India. We can work on that.

Hare Krsna.

Hare Krsna.

Thank you so, so, much.

We have all, by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Nitai-Nimai, changed so many lives.

Thanks to you and Jambavati Devi Dasi, H. H. Bhakti-bhusana Swami et al.

Hare Krishna!

Guru Maharaja,

Yes, you are very right, my wife has been a rock in my spiritual life.

My materialistic nature of ignorance like to see her as a problem but that is right.

She is a gift Krishna has put in my life allowing me a lot of growth when I am mature enough (and sometimes even when I am not) to see it as Krishna arrangement.

I do know how important morning program is for you. I appreciate it very much in that I have also made it an upmost importance in my life. This is because of your example and encouragement (instruction 😉).

You have made it very clear what Srila Prabhupada has asked and wants from us in morning program. THANK YOU!!!!! I have grown to LOVE morning program.

This discussion was taken a bit to WhatsApp however can we please continue it here.

Haribol

Your servant,

Nanda-braja das.

HpS - AgtSP.

Apologize that have not been able to answer this or other letters so quickly.

Body, Buddy, is disintegrating.

Were 40% deaf last year and now, as expected, tested at 60% this year.

Our skin, teeth, eyes, mind, institution about the same.

Yet, we are only satisfied when we can squeeze the last drop of use of them out of Krsna's service.

Also, yes, yes, yes. Using this Blog forum for the kind of communication work it is supposed to do and using WhatsApp and Twitter for the kind of work they are supposed to do is correct.

We are in very stressful circumstances. Me, probably you, probably all of our esteemed readers.

😆

God certifies this!

Now it is 3.03AM.

Chanting Japa.

Doing little Blog work.

3.15am bath, tilaka, Deity worship, Mangala arati.. Kirtan.. Reading LoB... = FMS

In the middle of hell it allows us to focus on Krsna's name, Associates, Qualities, Form and ... it allows us to express our spiritual nature.

💥

Hari Bolo!

Sing and Dance in ecstacy.

Better than joining Larry Bird in basketball.

We were really struck by one incident related by Nava-yogindra Swami.

He came from a little town in Nepal. The devotees were there on traveling Sankirtan from Krsna Balarama Temple.

He was so attracted that he took permission from his Mother and Family and went back with them on the bus to Vrndavana.

As I remember he said he was looking out of the back of the bus as it drove away, seeing his mother with tears of anguish in her eyes, waving good bye.

Then, he served as B'cari in Temple in Braja.

Met Srila Prabhupada and had some direct interaction with him. Was Temple Commander at one point.

Yet early on he explained that he was in the Temple room during Japa time in the morning and Srila Prabhupada's Secretary came to him and told him that Srila Prabhupada wanted to speak with him immediately.

He was shocked.

He went to Prabhupada's rooms and paid his obeisances and asked how he could serve him, and Srila Prabhupada told him that he had a Temple in Africa that was failing and he was going to send him, NYD, to become the Temple President.

NYD said he was shocked again and replied, "SP, I am just a new man, little village boy. Coming to Braja has been a culture shock for me. How can I go to different country, different continent and become not only President of a Temple, but President of one that is failing!"

He said that Srila Prabhupada smiled and then looked at him very seriously and said that if he followed four principles strictly and chanted 16-nice rounds daily and kept a full morning and evening program and saw that everyone under his authority did the same thing, he would have... no... problems.

He said he applied it and it worked.

We have applied it and it works.

Of course, some very nice devotees like President in Los Angeles keep full morning program in Temple with devotees, and evening program with their family.

Etc.

Yet, if it is nice program, even not in Temple room, then seems they should be so encouraged that then want to share it in practical ways with others from time to time.

O.K.?

NoI 5 shows how to relate to different kinds of devotees.

NoI 10 how to relate to kinds of devotees and all others.

O.K.?

Must run to bath.

Thank you.

Photo attached of man on way to Mangala arati.

asa[e] sankirtan, world classical literature; youtube play list.

Hare Krishna Maharaja, please accept my humble and respectful obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! 

Maharaja, you answered so much of my question about becoming too institutionalized this morning in class. I’m just trying to understand how to use my karma in service still. It’s a difficult bajan! 

I haven’t been attending Sunday love feast program for a month now. I’ve been leaving before the program starts but still doing all my services and cooking sometimes. I just want to do other things for Krishna and the program has been really difficult for me on so many levels. It feels like it’s out of humility (knowing where I am at) but then it could be escaping the battle or coping out. I think I like being more behind the scenes but once again I don’t know if that is just my comfort zone I need to break out of. How do we know the difference?

hps - one way is to be associating with Srila Prabhupada through his books... and process... and initiated disciples who are worshipping the Deity.

NoI 5.

"sādhu-vāda-nikaṣaṇāya — to the Lord, who is like a stone for examining all the good qualities of a sādhu;" , https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/5/19/3/

I’m so much more interested in the morning program and it’s going well. Krishna has sent a really nice new devotee (ex Christian/going deeper into Christs teachings with the help of Lord Nityananda:) that texts me great questions every single day and he is coming to Mangala aarti regularly. I feel like he is helping me out more than I am helping him! Bhakta Conar. And we are having so many good discussions during SB class with Madhava Prabhu in the mornings. Pushes me forward into the hectic days with strength.

Maharaja, I would really like to see you and serve you somehow this year. Are you able to visit Boise if we can arrange some nice programs for you? And could I travel with you again? I’m really good at doing the 24 hour check in now for SWA:)

HpS - Sri Hari Das is coming April 3rd, wednesday. we hope more calendar clarity after that. your current class, blog etc participation is very useful.

I hope the weather in Murfreesboro warms up soon and the sunshine on your shoulders makes you happy.

ASA - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5sbTHMP0Ig

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMF5numTEkU

Sunday morning, very bright, I read Your book by colored light

That came in through the pretty window picture.

I visited some houses where they said that You were living

And they talked a lot about You

And they spoke about Your giving.

They passed a basket with some envelopes;

I just had time to write a note

And all it said was "I believe in You."

Passing conversations where they mentioned Your existence

And the fact that You had been replaced by Your assistants.

The discussion was theology,

And when they smiled and turned to me

All that I could say was "I believe in You."

I visited Your house again on Christmas or Thanksgiving

And a balded man said You were dead,

But the house would go on living.

He recited poetry and as he saw me stand to leave

He shook his head and said I'd never find You.

My mother used to dress me up,

And while my dad was sleeping

We would walk down to Your house without speaking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdNPEX7bY-k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sP0_7ware8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUHImtxGuuI read the description. 1/2million people. boxer's song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

Her number is 432 (= 4 x 108).

Susan Boyle ( susanbolo)

She comes across in the beginning as an absolute looser, but when they push the button, the world was never the same.

128Million hits. The YouTube crashed.

2.31 - Amanda knows that this is the musical point. This is the hard, HARD, impossible note to hit and ... she pegs it!

She picks such high class songs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Mis%C3%A9rables_(musical)

I dreamed a dream in time gone by

When hope was high and life worth living

I dreamed that love would never die

I prayed that God would be forgiving

Then I was young and unafraid

And dreams were made and used and wasted

There was no ransom to be paid

No song unsung, no wine untasted

But the tigers come at night

With their voices soft as thunder

As they tear your hopes apart

And they turn your dreams to shame

And still I dream he'd come to me

That we would live the years together

But there are dreams that cannot be

And there are storms we cannot weather

I had a dream my life would be

So different from this hell I'm living

So different now from what it seemed

Now life has killed the dream, I dreamed

We can imagine Srimati Radharani singing something like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEm67QbgEGY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uGlL0xafP8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfHnzYEHAow

o dream the impossible dream

To fight the unbeatable foe

To bear with unbearable sorrow

To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong

To love pure and chaste from afar

To try when your arms are too weary

To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest to follow that star

No matter how hopeless, no matter how far

To fight for the right without question or pause

To be willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true to this glorious quest

That my heart will lie peaceful and calm

When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this

That one man, scorned and covered with scars

Still strove with his last ounce of courage

To fight the unbeatable foe

To reach the unreachable star

After 2.18 I don't know if it is worthwhile.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFAfbkOeOPs&t=442s

Midnight, not a sound from the pavement

Has the moon lost her memory?

She is smiling alone

In the lamplight, the withered leaves collect at my feet

And the wind begins to moan

Memory, all alone in the moonlight

I can dream of the old days

Life was beautiful then

I remember the time I knew what happiness was

Let the memory live again

Every street lamp seems to beat

A fatalistic warning

Someone mutters and the street lamp sputters

And soon it will be morning

Daylight, I must wait for the sunrise

I must think of a new life

And I mustn't give in

When the dawn comes, tonight will be a memory too

And a new day will begin

Burnt out ends of smoky days

The stale, cold smell of morning

A street lamp dies, another night is over

Another day is dawning

Touch me, it's so easy to leave me

All alone with the memory

Of my days in the sun

If you touch me, you'll understand what happiness is

Look, a new day has begun

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJRg35dTIGE

Suzanne [GURU] takes you down to her place near the river [Yamuna]

You can hear the boats go by, you can spend the night beside her

And you know that she's half-crazy but that's why you wanna to be there

And she feeds you tea and oranges that come all the way from China [Braja]

And just when you mean to tell her that you have no love to give her

Then she gets you on her wavelength

And she lets the river answer that you've always been her lover

And you want to travel with her, and you want to travel blind

And then you know that she will trust you

For you've touched her perfect body [Siddha Deha] with your mind

And Jesus was a sailor when he walked upon the water

And he spent a long time watching from his lonely wooden tower [Cross]

And when he knew for certain only drowning men could see him [Materially Exhausted]

He said all men will be sailors then until the sea shall free them

But he himself was broken, long before the sky would open

Forsaken, almost human, he sank beneath your wisdom [Jnana] like a stone

And you want to travel with him, and you want to travel blind

And then you think maybe you'll trust him

For he's touched your perfect body with his mind

Now, Suzanne takes your hand and she leads you to the river

She's wearing rags and feathers from Salvation Army counters

And the sun pours down like honey on our Lady of the harbor [Statue of Liberty]

And she shows you where to look among the garbage and the flowers

There are heroes in the seaweed, there are children in the morning

They are leaning out for love and they will lean that way forever

While Suzanne holds the mirror

And you want to travel with her, and you want to travel blind

And then you know that you can trust her

For she's touched your perfect body with her mind

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrLk4vdY28Q

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallelujah_(Leonard_Cohen_song)

The lyrics are like self confessed religion in the mode of passion, but the chorus is just the name of God, hallet jah = praise jehovah. Artist is alone with God and the Holy Name.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_NpxTWbovE

Brahmacarini? 😎

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PjkKLhKcAk

Funny.

All this stuff is like a partially reflection of what is clearly in the Krsna book. Volume Two of Two. Big edition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toYfeN0ACDw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YnfCH7LNcM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyJRsp5t9mA

this is maybe the top?? We did a power-point to it with BBT art of Mother Yasoda and grown men where wiping away the tears.

Comments say that it can be a young girls lament in separation or a prayer to God.

etc. etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dXoh12er88

Both Sides Now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w70-1b9SCj0

Radha??? Had to close our eyes to some of the video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9fWjzYiRUE

So much Phil Ochs is nice. Also L. Cohen, but Ochs seems more sincere??? Why do we look for these artists, because we think some of them, their communities, can appreciate the KRSNA book, Volume Two of Two. Srila Prabhupada's Maha-mantra Kirtan.

Then it all merges into transcendence.

A Sannyasi should travel and report to the GBC where there are good places to open ISKCON Centers.

Gauranga!

Your aspiring servant, 

Nitisara das